Serving British soldier joins Kurdish fight against ISIS

Members of the Kurdish security forces take part during an intensive security deployment after clashes with militants of the Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in Jalawla, Diyala province. (Reuters/Stringer) / Reuters

A British man currently serving in the Army has travelled to the Middle East to join Kurdish troops fighting the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).

The unnamed man is
believed to be a 19-year-old serving with 2nd Battalion The
Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

It is understood he was stationed in Cyprus, but left his base
after telling family members he was joining the Peshmerga because
“these guys need our help.”

According to Sky News, the soldier, who is on annual leave,
intends to spend a year with the Kurdish forces.

If he doesn’t return to the Cypriot base when his leave ends, he
will be officially reported AWOL (Absent Without Leave). Sources
say the priority is to ensure he’s safe, rather than punish him.

“I've gone to join the Kurds in Syria and Iraq,” he wrote to
his family. “I'm with other British people and a Canadian at the
moment.

“I don't know how to explain it to you, but I really want and
need to do this and I will be safe.”

The solider joined the army at the age of 16, and is said to have
been learning Arabic.